Commencement Ceremonies

Spring (May) Commencement Ceremony

The College of Agricultural Sciences holds its own spring commencement ceremony each May in the Pegula Ice Arena - 1:00 PM, Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Summer (August) and Fall (December) Commencement Ceremonies

The University combines and organizes commencement ceremonies for the summer and fall semesters. More information regarding these ceremonies can be found on the University's Commencement website.

Student Tasks Prior to Graduation (for all ceremonies)

Apply for Graduation

Students must apply for graduation in LionPATH during the Intent to Graduate Activation Period. If you miss this intent period, please contact your academic advisor to notify your major's Program Coordinator to add your name to the graduation list.

Information on how to set your intent to graduate and activation periods can be found on the Penn State Registrar's website.

Please note: If your intent is filed late, your name may not appear in the commencement program.

Procedure for Re-enrollment for Graduation Purposes Only

When a student wishes to graduate but is not currently enrolled in courses here at Penn State, the student must complete this specific Re-enrollment form, "Undergraduate Re-enrollment Form - Graduating Only, not enrolling in classes"

This online form must be printed out, signed, and returned to the Registrar's Office via:

• Fax to 814-863-1929
• Email to esmail@psu.edu
• Hand carry to the UP Registrar office (112 Shields Bldg.)
• Surface mail to:
• Office of the University Registrar
• Attn.: Enrollment Services
• 112 Shields Building
• University Park, PA 16802-1271

Once the form is received at the Registrar's office, the Registrar staff will notify your college that you wish to re-enroll for graduation purposes only and be added to the current graduation list. The College will notify your major program coordinator for approval to add you to the graduation list.

Transferring credits to Penn State to finish your degree requirements

It is important for students who plan to fulfill degree requirements using transfer credits to meet with their academic adviser well in advance of graduation to discuss your plans. Your academic advisor as well as the Program Coordinator of your major must be apprised of the school and course number from which the transfer credits are expected. This must be reported to them when the course is scheduled.

Students are responsible for ensuring that their transfer credits are transferred to Penn State in time to remain on the graduation list. This could require you to follow-up to make sure your credits were sent and have arrived at Penn State. The transfer credit deadline for graduation is typically just prior to the date of the commencement ceremony.

The student is then responsible for any petitions needed to place their transfer credits into the correct positions on their degree audit.

If your credits are not transferred to Penn State prior to the deadline for the current semester, the student is required to re-enroll for graduation purposes only again the following semester.

Requesting to Walk in our Commencement Ceremony

Students who are not graduating but would like to walk in our commencement ceremony must be within no more than 2 courses (or 8 credits) from meeting all graduation requirements and be registered to complete these courses the following semester. Contact your academic advisor to request permission to walk in our ceremony. Please note - your name will not appear in the program, but you can cross the stage and have your name read. You must then apply to graduate the following semester in order to receive your diploma.

Degree Audit

Review your degree audit to verify that your degree requirements are all met or in progress. Contact your adviser if you would have any issues.

Verify Name and Address with the Registrar

Review LionPATH to ensure your name and address is correct for diploma & mailing accuracy. Watch for an email from the University Registrar's office that instructs you to make any necessary updates to your Penn State record (name and address information) for your diploma.

Graduating at an alternative campus

Students may ask to attend commencement exercises at a Penn State campus not assigned to them. To make this request, the student should submit the appropriate alternative commencement site request form to Kathy Pletcher, 101 Ag. Admin. Building, kjs8@psu.edu. More information can be found on the Penn State Registrar's website.

Marching Order Slides at the Ceremony

The University provides a slide show at each ceremony that will include a slide for each graduate with their name and major. You will also receive an email to review that slide and information - please watch your Penn State email for this.

Academic Distinction Cords - pick up in 101 Ag. Admin. Building

Seniors who have earned an academic distinction are eligible to receive an academic distinction cord to wear with your approved academic dress at commencement. You will be notified by the College to pick up your honor cord in 101 Ag Admin if you are eligible to receive one. Distinction levels are determined by the cumulative GPA at the end of the previous semester. If students earn a higher level once final grades are received, then adjustments will be made.

Students who are graduating Summa Cum Laude will receive a blue and white cord, students who are graduating Magna Cum Laude will receive a blue cord, and students who are graduating Cum Laude will receive a white cord.

Military Honor cords are red, white, and blue and are issued by either your ROTC office or Office of Veteran's Programs.

Caps and Gowns

Caps and gowns can be purchased at the Penn State Bookstore (HUB) or the Student Bookstore (downtown).

Graduate Outcome Survey

Graduates will be invited (via an email from the Associate Dean) to complete the Post-Grad Outcome Survey. By completing this survey, students will join a history of seniors whose input has helped to shape the experiences of current and future Penn Staters. We want to know about each graduate's past experiences and future plans. Graduates are reminded to update the survey as they solidify their future plans in the weeks ahead.

Diploma Distribution

Diplomas will be mailed approximately four weeks after the commencement ceremony to the students' permanent residence or LionPATH diploma mailing address.